Small-town mayor inspires at UpDayton summit

At 6 foot 8 and 350 pounds, numbers tattooed across his arms, John Fetterman does not look the part of a small-town mayor.

But there are many things about Fetterman, mayor of Braddock, Pa., that are unconventional. His arm bears the zip code of his town, where plans he implemented saw a complete transformation from urban blight to a community where people thrive.

Fetterman spoke to about 200 UpDayton attendees Friday about the revitalization of his town and the benefits of a bold, innovative approach to community involvement.

Braddock was a failing town when Fetterman was elected mayor by a single vote in 2005. The city had shifted from a densely-populated community of 20,000 with dozens of stores in 1955 to a total collapse when nearby steel mills closed.

In 2009 it lost its last major business when a 270,000 square-foot hospital employing 650 closed. By 2010, only 2,300 people remained in the city, which was one of the poorest in the state, with heavy gang activity and almost no businesses. The median home price was $4,800.

“Braddock was known for its violence, its drug place, and it was a place that no one wanted to see or go to unless you were looking for trouble,” Fetterman said.

Gaining a sponsorship from Levi Strauss & Co. to be involved in an ad campaign for the company, Fetterman gained support money which he put to work restoring local architecture and engaging local youth in community programs.

“I didn’t have some master plan,” Fetterman said. “Opportunities have come our way that I couldn’t have planned for.”

Braddock implemented a number of programs to revitalize the city. Among them were demolishing abandoned and blighted buildings and replacing them with urban gardens, playgrounds, and an apiary managed by local students. Among other programs implemented were a store for underprivileged residents to get donated clothing and food for free, and a large summer employment program for low-income students.

The city also entered into a $20 million redevelopment deal with Allegheny County to redevelop housing and office space on the site of the former hospital, as well as an urgent care center. It was also a filming location for Scott Cooper film “Out of the Furnace.”

His message for Dayton residents was that drastic change does not come easy, but that it is possible to improve the city with new ideas and innovation.

“There’s going to be resistance to change, but you structure it as if you’re going to give or take, just to help.” Fetterman said.

He noted the city has continuing challenges with violence and drug activity, but noted there hasn’t been a murder in the city in five years, and 9-1-1 calls have been cut sharply, from 7,140 in 2006 to 3,900 in 2011.

“We have a decent amount of work ahead of us ... but I’m proud of what we’ve done,” Fetterman said.